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Sunday, December 25, 2011

In Ligon Prison Adjutant Charles Peirson celebrated Christmas with a turkey dinner. The turkey was a gift from a friend of Captain John Markoe of the Seventy First Pennsylvania Regiment, who was captured at Ball's Bluff and imprisoned with Peirson. Although Peirson found the turkey a pleasant change from the usual beef, he was suffering from an intestinal complaint and could not fully enjoy the meal. Peirson heard that Colonel Lee and the hostages had received a generous Christmas meal and that Congressman Alfred Ely had been released early that morning.1

On Christmas afternoon the sisters of Lieutenants James Lowell and William Lowell Putnam presented a silk memorial flag to the regiment. The flag bore the pine tree State symbol alongside the name of Ball's Bluff and the motto "Stand in the Evil Day." The presentation was hosted by Honorable John Palfrey, father of Lieutenant Colonel Francis Palfrey. The presentation speech by Judge Palfrey, a memorial for those killed and captured at Ball's Bluff, concluded with a prayer for the Regiment: "And may He who is the God of battles, as He is the God of peace, give you honorable death, or bring you back safe from war, according as by death or by life you can best serve his cause."1

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Charles Faulkner, the former United States minister to France, visited Adjutant Charles Peirson at Ligon Prison and Colonel Lee at Henrico County Jail to offer his assistance to the prisoners. Mr. Faulkner observed that the Confederate privateers were better treated than the hostages and promised that he would do all that he could to improve their situation.

Faulkner had been captured in August by the United States Government on suspicion of arms negotiations for the Confederacy in Paris. Faulkner successfully negotiated his release in exchange for Alfred Ely, a New York Congressman captured while witnessing the battle at Manassas and detained at Libby Prison. It was announced today that Congressman Ely would be released on Christmas Day.1

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

In Ligon Prison two Methodist missionaries visited Adjutant Charles Peirson and fellow prisoners. The missionaries prayed in silence and "preached peace and a fearful religion." After their visit Peirson quipped, "Either they are far behind [in] this age of enlightenment, or we are."1

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

In the summer of 1861 the Union army began experimentation in military reconnaissance with observation balloons. Thaddeus Lowe was named Chief Aeronaut and received funding for seven balloons which were positioned along the Potomac River from October 1861 into early 1862. In December 1861 Company D of the Twentieth Massachusetts, led by Lieutenant Nathaniel Messer, was selected for balloon duty at Edwards Ferry. In a letter to his mother from Camp Benton Lieutenant Henry Abbott of Company I wrote that General Charles P. Stone, the commander of the Corps of Observation, delayed the initial deployment of the balloon. General Stone had been under fire from fellow officers since the encounter at Ball's Bluff and had been regarded by many, including Henry Abbott, as chiefly responsible for the heavy losses ensuing from the battle.1

Sunday, December 11, 2011

In Ligon Prison Adjutant Charles Peirson heard rumors of fighting at Yorktown. He witnessed a large number of sick coming into Richmond hospitals from the Peninsula and observed that all available men were being sent out of Richmond, leaving few behind to guard the city.1

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Adjutant Charles Peirson briefly left his confinement in Ligon Prison to distribute clothing to fellow prisoners and to visit the sick in Richmond hospitals. The clothes were a gift from John Revere, father of prisoners Dr. Edward Revere and Major Paul Revere. Peirson heard rumors of fighting at Manassas and observed that approximately fifteen-hundred Confederates in Richmond hospitals had been struck with typhoid pneumonia. 1

Monday, December 5, 2011

In Ligon Prison Adjutant Charles Peirson received two encouraging letters. In the first letter Naval Commander William G. Saltonstall offered to send assistance of any kind. In the second letter John Murray Forbes, a wealthy philanthropist and friend of Massachusetts Governor John Andrew, notified Peirson that he was trying to lodge credit in Richmond of one-thousand dollars to be used for the benefit of Massachusetts prisoners of war.1

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Colonel Edward Hinks of the Nineteenth Massachusetts Regiment, the acting brigade commander who assumed the role when General Frederick Lander was wounded at Ball's Bluff, was reassigned. Colonel Ira Grosvenor of the Seventh Michigan Regiment was appointed the role of acting brigade commander until February 22, 1862.1

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Captain Caspar Crowninshield of Company D resigned from the regiment to accept a commission as captain in the First Massachusetts Cavalry, much to the regret of his fellow officers. First Lieutenant Norwood P. Hallowell was promoted to captain in his place. Second Lieutenant Charles Whittier was promoted to First Lieutenant, and new recruit Henry Ropes, scheduled to join on December 31, was commissioned Second Lieutenant.1

Welcome!

This Civil War history blog is dedicated to the outstanding military service of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment and to the memory of my ancestor, Private Oliver Stanton Bates of Company A. Each blog post marks the 150th anniversary of the original event during the Civil War.